Recap: Toronto FC eliminates Union in Knockout Round

Time spent in the playoffs was short for the Union. There were no big surprises from this match versus Toronto FC. A young team made mistakes and Toronto’s veterans jumped on them and punished the Union.

First five minutes belonged to the Union who put pressure on Toronto. The home side quickly finds their feet and the rest of the first half was dominated by Toronto. Sebastian Giovinco jumpstarted the scoring for Toronto after two mistakes from Union players. The play starts off with Ken Tribbett failing to clear a ball in the defensive half. Jozy Altidore is then able to find the feet of Giovinco after both Andre Blake and Richie Marquez challenge Altidore for the ball. Blake should have probably not come off his line in this play as Marquez was in a good position to defend Altidore thus allowing Blake and the rest of the defense to shut down the box and stop this goal from happening.

Toronto did not wait long after the beginning of the second half to double the lead. This time, Jonathan Osorio is left wide open on the back post, and is able to get a clean shot on goal. The play starts with Sebastian Giovinco taking the corner kick for Toronto. During the approach of Giovinco’s service, multiple Union players attack the ball leaving Keegan Rosenberry alone with two Toronto players. Nick Hagglund is able to get a head on Giovinco’s ball and steers it toward the back post. From the replay it looks like Rosenberry is catch ball watching in this moment, allowing Osorio to easily run onto the ball and knock it home, and making it 2-0 Toronto.

Jim Curtin was able to change the style of the game in the 59th minute by subbing in Ilsinho for Fabian Herbers. Ilsinho’s presence quickly gave way to more possession for the Union in the Toronto’s half. In the 73th minute, Bedoya scores off of a corner kick to bring the Union back within striking distance. Tranquillo Barnetta’s cornerkick find the heads of Tribbett, who heads the ball to Ilsinho and he too is able to head it onto Marquez who is able to head it into the 6 yard box. Finally the ball dropped to Beyoda’s feet within the 6 yard box and he is able to tap it in.

Toronto ended any chance for a Union comeback in the 85th minute, when another mistake by the Union leads to Jozy Altidore finding the back of the net. This plays started with a Giovinco breakway which is stopped by Marquez. Giovinco tries to find the feet of Altidore but instead Tribbett tries to break up the pass. For a second time in the game, Tribbett fails to correctly clear the ball away from danger. The mistake from Tribbett, allows Jozy Atlidore to clean up the ball and take a shot that is deflected into the back of the net.

Toronto’s victory spells the end of the season for the Union. Though the Union finished the season on an 8 game winless streak, there are many aspects of this team to build on for next season. Hopefully this brief spell in the playoffs is the beginning of greater things to come for this young Union club.

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